Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com, and his wife, MacKenzie, have made a significant financial contribution to the coalition campaigning to defend a state law in Washington that protects civil marriage for same-sex couples.
Washington United for Marriage (WUM) announced on Friday a $2.5 million financial gift from the Bezoses, bringing the coalition’s fundraising total to $5 million.
“I am thrilled by Jeff and MacKenzie’s staggeringly generous donation,” said WUM’s volunteer finance co-chair Jennifer Cast said in a press release. “Their support of our efforts to approve R74 comes at an important time and will have great impact. I am deeply grateful to both of them as this donation is going to help us make history.”
Washington voters will decide on Referendum 74 in November. If approved, the referendum will uphold a measure legalizing same-sex marriage that was passed by state lawmakers in Olympia and signedby outgoing Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) in February.
